01/20/2023
Recent headlines have appeared regarding local gas bans in new construction, along with studies and editorial pieces claiming that gas stoves fill homes with pollutants, negatively impacting indoor air quality. While primarily directed at natural gas, these news articles encompass all gas, including propane.
Here are some differences between electric, natural gas, and propane.
• The EPA does not list gas stoves as significant contributors to indoor air quality or health hazards.
Gas stoves have long been preferred by professional chefs and home cooks should have that same choice at home — including cooking with propane.
• Indoor air quality can be improved with simple actions like regularly changing the air filter on home HVAC systems and having appliances checked by qualified technicians.
• Unlike natural gas, propane contains no methane, thus not directly contributing to global warming.
• 60% of all electrical power generation in the United States comes from burning natural gas or coal.
Electrification of everything will take more than 20 years and cost about $20–$25 trillion.
• Clean and renewable energy like propane can accelerate decarbonization today.
Plus, renewable propane, derived from the processing of agricultural biomass, has a low carbon intensity and is ideal for use in the same applications.
